As the extended Transitional Period begins on Saturday, the outgoing RJMEC Interim Chairperson, Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai told the meeting:  “As we commence the 24 months of the extension, the elections date of December 2026 may seem distant. However, my assessment of the critical milestones required to lay ground for credible elections indicate that there is no moment to waste.”

As such, Amb. Gituai said, in his address, Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) needs “to demonstrate unprecedented sense of urgency to accomplish the critical pending tasks for the conduct of credible, peaceful, free and fair democratic elections.”

As you may recall, he told the meeting, the key tasks whose non-implementation necessitated the extension of the Transitional Period, include the unification and redeployment of forces, making of the permanent constitution and preparations for the conduct of credible elections.

‘As we meet here today, these tasks remain incomplete,” he said. Further, the outgoing RJMEC Chairperson appealed to the regional guarantors and international community to have a more accommodative approach that aligns with the need to do things differently as well, “in order to have South Sudan transit from perpetual extensions.”

In his conclusion, Amb. Gituai informed the RJMEC Members that this 39th plenary serves as his last, as his tour of duty comes to an end this month. “It has been four-and-half years since I took over as the Interim Chairperson of RJMEC. I thank all of you for the support and constructive engagements throughout my truly memorable years here,” he said.  

“It has been a privilege and a humbling experience for me, to have had this opportunity of chairing such a meeting composed of senior stakeholders, diplomats, party leaders, government officials and security officers. Thank you for your cooperation and support. It has been a rich learning curve for me and I do not take it for granted,” he added. 

At the same time, he introduced the incoming Chairperson, H.E. Amb. Maj Gen (rtd) George Aggrey Owinow, and wished him well, “as he steers RJMEC to the next level.” 

“It is my conviction that R-ACRSS, remains the most transformative blueprint that would deliver this country to a democratic dispensation if implemented in letter and spirit,” he added.